The Empire State Building has unveiled the first phase of its new Observatory as part of the decade-long Empire State ReBuilding project. The new entrance will provide visitors with more space and a seamless flow exclusive to Observatory guests, repositioning 4.2 million visitors from the Fifth Avenue entrance, and improving the Empire State Building’s tenants’ experience.

Currently in its first phase, the project is being brought to life by a cross-disciplinary team including Thornton Tomasetti as they conceive and curate a new Observatory experience. The new entrance is the first part of the redevelopment project expected to be completed by the end of 2019, hinting at what is expected to follow, from a new lighting ceremony installation to digital hosts.

Once in the new entrance, guests will use a grand staircase divided in two around a two-story architectural replica of the Empire State Building whilst self-service kiosks will simplify how the myriad of choices is presented to the guests.